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DR5 as a reporter system to study auxin response in Populus

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Abstract

Key message

Auxin responsive promoter DR5 reporter system is functional in Populus to monitor auxin response in tissues including leaves, roots, and stems.

Abstract

We described the behavior of the DR5::GUS reporter system in stably transformed Populus plants. We found several similarities with Arabidopsis, including sensitivity to native and synthetic auxins, rapid induction after treatment in a variety of tissues, and maximal responses in root tissues. There were also several important differences from Arabidopsis, including slower time to maximum response and lower induction amplitude. Young leaves and stem sections below the apex showed much higher DR5 activity than did older leaves and stems undergoing secondary growth. DR5 activity was highest in cortex, suggesting high levels of auxin concentration and/or sensitivity in this tissue. Our study shows that the DR5 reporter system is a sensitive and facile system for monitoring auxin responses and distribution at cellular resolution in poplar.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from the US Department of Energy (DOE), Poplar Genome Based Research for Carbon Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems (DE-FG02-06ER64185, DE-FG02-05ER64113), the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc. (GO12026-203A), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) CSREES, the USDA-NRI Plant Genome program (2003-04345) and USDA CSREES, the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program (2004-35300-14687), Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint Research Program of USDA and DOE (2009-65504-05767), industrial members of the Tree Genomics and Biosafety Research Cooperative at Oregon State University.

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  1. Michigan Technological University, School of Forest Research and Environmental Science, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    Yiru Chen, Yordan S. Yordanov & Victor B. Busov

  2. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331-5752, USA

    Cathleen Ma & Steven Strauss

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  1. Yiru Chen
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  5. Victor B. Busov
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Correspondence to Victor B. Busov.

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Communicated by S. Merkle.

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Chen, Y., Yordanov, Y.S., Ma, C. et al. DR5 as a reporter system to study auxin response in Populus . Plant Cell Rep 32, 453–463 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-012-1378-x

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